Power issues are very disturbing. They can cause extensive damage to devices, necessitating frequent repairs and costly replacements. Surges essentially occur when there’s a brief spike in electricity voltage. This damages electronics and reduces the lifespan of your appliances. They are also a fire hazard.
On the other hand, outages often leave your home without electricity for hours or days, disrupting your daily activities. With most homes’ increasing reliance on electricity, these issues pose significant risks to homeowners. Fortunately, homeowners can consider the following practical steps.
Install Whole-House Surge Guards
Electrical surges occur for several reasons, mostly lightning strikes and grid issues. Regardless of the cause, they can mess up your home and cause malfunctioning of various devices. That said, installing this guard is an effective way of protecting your home from spikes.
As the name suggests, these protectors are installed directly into your home’s panel. They shield your home’s electrical system from sudden surges. Unlike power strips designed to protect specific devices, whole-house protectors handle system-wide surges.
That said, these devices provide comprehensive protection. They cover the entire electrical system, including both major and small gadgets. Surges often reduce the lifespan of your home appliances. These devices divert excess electricity, preventing appliance damage. This saves homeowners money on repairs and replacements.
Unplug Devices During Storms
Severe storms are closely associated with lighting and power surges. These events cause significant damage to your home’s wiring system. While having a surge guard is beneficial, unplugging your devices during a storm is a valuable option. Doing this completely disconnects them from the grid.
Without direct connections to your home’s wiring system, there’s no path for excess power to damage your appliances. It creates an impenetrable barrier between household devices and possible spikes. That said, you should prioritize unplugging valuable electronics like your computers and smart home devices.
Beyond protecting your devices, unplugging during storms conserves energy. Appliances like computers are always on standby, even when turned off. Unplugging them reduces energy consumption and saves on utility bills.
Invest in Backup Solutions
Power loss often strikes unexpectedly, leaving homeowners without electricity. Whether due to severe weather or grid malfunctions, outages disrupt daily life and damage electronics. Investing in a backup solution like a whole home generator is a proactive way of ensuring your home remains functional during outages.
A prolonged power outage does more than inconvenience. Stored food in the fridge or freezer can spoil and leave you without conditioning during extreme temperatures. The sudden return of power after an outage can also damage sensitive electronics in your home.
Backup power solutions assure an uninterrupted power supply that keeps critical home systems functional. For this, homeowners can opt for standby generators or solar power with a battery charge.
Endnote
Protecting your home from power issues is crucial for ensuring your home installations are safe. It also eliminates costly repairs and maintains your home’s functionality. Combining whole-house guards with backup solutions helps homeowners minimize the risks of surges and outages. Preventing measures like unplugging devices further ensures the safety of your home’s electrical system.